The chain is orientated from southeast to northwest and fed primarily by streams and groundwater flow.

The three largest lakes, Louisa, Minnehaha, and Minneola constitute the main part of the chain.

Little Creek originates from the Lake/Polk County border and Big Creek starts from the area of the Green Swamp adjacent to the Lake Wales Ridge around Lake Lowery in Polk County as Green Swamp Run.

A canal connects Lake Palatlakaha to Lake Hiawatha, also mostly undeveloped aside from the Clermont community of Hiawatha Shores and the former Jahna West Clermont Sand Mine which is being converted into a community on the south shore.

[15] North of the main chain the Palatlakaha River is lined with 8 lakes the surrounding area of which is within the city of Groveland.

There is a water level control dam between Hunt and Cherry Lakes.

Lakes Lucy and Emma are surrounded by rural development and sandy hills.

[18] Heart Lake is separated from the Palatlakaha River by a dike with a water level control dam in it.